Carreno named MWL Pitcher of the Week

COMSTOCK PARK, MI - Whitecaps pitcher Marcelo Carreno threw some of his best games this year as the Whitecaps were battling for a playoff spot.

On Tuesday, the league took notice and named Carreno its Pitcher of the Week for the week lasting from August 27-September 3.

Carreno, a 21-year-old right-hander from Edo Nueva Esparta, Venezuela made two starts to win the honor.

On Monday, August 27 Carreno gave up just one earned run in five innings to earn the win in Dayton.

However, it was his performance this past Saturday night, against the same Dayton Dragons, that was his best. In six scoreless innings he struck out 13 batters and allowed just four hits to earn the win. He struck out the side twice, multiple batters in five of his six innings, and finished his outing with five straight punch-outs. In addition to setting a personal career-high and a Whitecaps' season-high, his 13 strikeouts were the most by a West Michigan pitcher since Duane Below racked up 14 punch-outs in a 2007 game against the Cedar Rapids Kernels.

The Whitecaps season came to an end Monday afternoon with a 7-3 loss against Dayton. Despite a season record of 72-68, which was the fifth best record in the league, the Whitecaps failed to make the playoffs for the second straight year and for only the fifth time in the 19-year history of the franchise.

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